Merry Christmas, Syracuse!
I’ll keep this brief.
I really wanted to do something today that people can actually do…but since it’s Christmas, everywhere is closed!
Obviously the bar might open later on, but what about AFTER dinner?
Well, my family loves to go see movies…
With the new mall expansion, came an IMAX theater that is state of the art awesome!
So, why not go check out a movie today!
Tip: Show times are here.
location: DestiNY
Has anyone been to DestiNY lately? A) Parking is not as bad as I thought (kudos to you, parking lot people…) B) There’s a whole bunch of fun happening there.
Just this week, World of Beer had their grand opening…and I’ve already been there twice!
Who woulda thought… But this is why…
They’ve got Fort Collins Brewery there…and there’s live music..and really great pub fare…it’s quickly going to become the #1 hot spot in Syracuse…so that’s cool.
While I love my traditional bars, like Kitty Hoynes, Als, Colemans, Blue Tusk and the like, WOB sure has a lot to offer! Like…there’s A LOT of beer there… on tap, in bottles…there’s just beer everywhere.
My friends have been participating in the “Mall Beer Crawl” …I think that’s the unofficial name. It’s where you go taste drinks from each bar/restaurant in the mall… and as the mall expands, the Mall Beer Crawl keeps getting longer and longer… and World of Beer is somewhere that will quickly be added to the official list, because it’s awesome.
Tip: It’s general seating, just gotta look out for an open table and grab it before someone else does! The place will always be busy.
location: Destiny
If you’re anything like me, you usually start looking for christmas presents for your friends and family around Halloween but you don’t actually buy anything until the week before the actual holiday.
It’s called procrastination…
Despite this, it’s time to get moving on shopping this year. Tonight it the perfect time to start, too!
All throughout downtown Syracuse, local shops have paired with local restaurants. The stores will be open from 4-8pm and while you’re shopping you’ll be able to taste some really great local dishes!
Tip: Here is a list of all the stores and their paired restaurants!
location: Armory Square
Everyone is always coming to me, “What should I get my brother for christmas? “What should I get my sister-in-law for Christmas?” It may be because I’m always browsing the blogs or pinterest but I’ve usually got a great vault of ideas and options waiting for when someone comes at me with the “I need to spend $50 or less on someone who likes ___________.”
Next time someone asks me I’ll promptly say, “Check out the Pepper Market.”
The Pepper Market is the sister event to the Salt Market (which, sadly, I missed in October.)
What is it? Well… it’s kind of a real life Etsy. Etsy is great, it’s a really popular spot to get Christmas gifts…however, since 99.9% of the things sold on Etsy are handmade, you typically need to get your Christmas orders in somewhere around last Friday….
With the Pepper Market, the vendors are out of control crazy talented and artsy and amazing and you’re bound to find something really fun and funky there for your “friend who has everything but just started a blog…”
The Pepper Market takes place this Saturday December 14th from 10am-4pm. I hope to see you there!
Tip: It’s all $30 or under!
location: On the corner of E. Onondaga and S. Warren Street
Two of my favorite things on earth, aside from Tim Riggins and online shopping are Wine and Chocolate.
I was just thinking this morning how I never used to be a sweets person, but now I can’t get enough of chocolate. ….or wine.
Thankfully, tomorrow at the fairgrounds they’ve got both! The CNY Wine and Chocolate Festival combines two loves and makes them one. It’s Friday November 29th from 3-9pm.
Honestly, and this goes to all men and women out there… what better way to spend your black friday? Tasting wines, eating chocolate & treats and shopping among the booths set up.
It’s hosted by Alex & Ani, which I’m pretty sure is the biggest thing to hit Syracuse since Ugg boots.
Tip: Tickets are $20 & can be purchased here or at Wegmans
location: NYS Fairgrounds
I’m a huge fan of exploring new cultures. From food, to art to fashion I love it all!
So imagine my excitement when I learned about the Westcott Cultural Fair. You can guarantee I’ll be there!
There will be food, music, art. There’s a parade, there’s a book sale…it’s a perfect opportunity to get outside and explore the community! It’ll be so much fun, I literally can not wait!
It’s this Sunday, September 15th (today!) from 12-6:30. Head that way, you won’t be disappointed!
Tip: They will be closing Westcott St. for this event, so if you’re planning on heading that way know some alternative routes!
location: Westcott street, in between Concord Street and Dell Street, as well as some of the side streets off Westcott.
Who says adults can’t have fun?
No one. That’s who!
Dave and Busters has come to DestiNY and it’s so much fun! Has anyone gone yet? It’s relatively new…and it’s completely different.
There’s a little kid in all of us and that little kid loves arcade games!
Dave and Busters is a great place to watch all those NFL games…Go Bills! (yes, i just went there!). They’ve even got specials on game day. 22oz Bud Light Drafts for $3?! Sign me up!
Here’s my suggestion, last year I went downtown to try to watch some NFL games and a lot of the bars were closed on Sunday. Which, I don’t know what the heck was going on. The best spots to watch the games are not in Armory Square, and it’s my intention to find some really awesome spots with a lot of TVs to make sure you stay up-to-the-minute with your fantasy team!
They’ve got a cool happy hour special too!
Tip: Visit their website and get a coupon for a $10 game play
location: DestiNY
Everyone loves a really great laugh…I don’t think anyone has ever said, “I really just hate laughter.” If they do…they’re very strange & should seek medical help.
I love going to comedy clubs. And, we’ve got a lot of talented comedians in this city so there’s a lot of options for us!
Funny Bone Comedy Club is exactly what you’d think it is. It’s hilarious, it’s a great time, it’s entertaining! You can get dinner at the mall somewhere and then pop on over to Funny Bone for a show on a Friday night!
Their event calendar is packed with hilarious shows, from female comedians to comedy showcases…they’ve got something for everyone. If I were to go on a date with someone, I’d want them to take me to a comedy club…it’s perfect. No awkwardness (unless you’re getting mad fun of), and you really get to tell if the person taking you out has a similar sense of humor. Tickets can be purchased here for all shows.
Tip: Food and drinks are available before and during every show.
Location: DestiNY
There’s a farmer’s market almost every day of the week here in Syracuse, whether you’re headed out to Marcellus, downtown or the Regional Market, you’ve got a lot of options…
There’s a lot of really awesome things to pick up at Farmers Markets…and for cheap too!
The B’ville Farmers Market is awesome. It’s on a tiny patch of land in the center of town, vendors come and set up their tables, they’ve got local produce from all over, jewelry, food trucks, bbq, you name it!
Parking is free, it’s right behind the B’ville Diner…
It’s every Wednesday from 3-6:30pm (roughly) through October. Stop in, meet the local farmers at their tables, play some games set up in the center of the park, browse the candles, trinkets, wines, and enjoy dinner at some of the various tables and trucks set up.
Tip: There’s tons of stuff all around, but my suggestion…look for the Thousand Island Winery table, they’ve got some great wines!
location: Baldwinsville Village Square (right behind the B’ville Diner)
We’re lucky up here in Syracuse (and the surrounding areas)…there’s a lot of really great people who have done a lot of really unique things to make sure we’re having fun, staying busy and most importantly drinking our beverages.
We’ve discovered so many different types of activities and festivals that include beer and wine, from smaller beer festivals, to breweries to larger beer festivals there’s something for everyone!
I’m really excited for the Finger Lakes Wine Festival. With over 90 wineries, live music, food and lots more, you’re given the chance to try some really great vino for just $35 for one day or $45 for 2 days. Buy them before the event…the price goes up at the door. A lot of the time I really consider cost of attendance to these beer and wine festivals, and so far the FLWF is really the best bang for your buck. There’s so many special events and things to do with tastings, to eating, to classes and mingling among friends that the $35 goes a very long way.
This weekend, July 14-16th, You can take some (free!) food cooking classes and attend demonstrations that include wine and food pairing. You can take a (free!) wine seminar to learn all of the important aspects about your favorite blend. Here’s the schedule of special events for the festival.
Like I’ve said before, I’m not the best when it comes to choosing wine…I mostly pick the prettiest bottle and hope for the best; but with the Finger Lakes Wine Fest I will be walking out of there with the knowledge that will last a lifetime! For festival info, specific vendors, restaurants participating and more click here.
Tip: You can even buy bottles of wine directly from the vendors, and there will be a special spot for you to keep it so you don’t have to lug it around (and maybe end up opening it!) all day. Check it out once you get there.
Location: Watkins Glen
Remember to please drink responsibly. There are tickets available (at a cheaper price) for designated drivers!
365 Things Syracuse 